Sr. Security Specialist (SSO) Job in Rockville, MD

Vacancy No. NSIR/DSO-2025-0002 Department Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Salary $142,488.00 to $185,234.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/11/2025 Close Date 9/25/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Rockville, MD


Summary

This position is located in the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, Division of Security Operations, Information Security Branch.

The supervisor is Mark MacDonald.

This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements.

This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

Duties

The successful candidate will perform the full range of Sr. Security Specialist, Special Security Officer (SSO) duties.

Such duties include but are not limited to:

  • Managing Agency SCI programs and ensures compliance with Intelligence Community (IC) directives. Provides analysis of internal and external security policy programs regarding SCI, ensuring deconfliction and compliance.
  • Reviewing and processing requests for clearance upgrades and access to special access programs. Validates personnel clearance information in external agency databases, and requests modification as necessary.
  • Reviewing and managing SCIF compliance reviews.
  • Providing detailed research and analysis on physical, computer, and personnel security.
  • Recommending changes to policies and procedures for accomplishment of SCI protection and security. Develops goals and objectives that integrate agency missions and security requirements.
  • Representing the agency in a variety of functional areas, including national-level organizations. Interfaces directly with the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, National Nuclear Security Agency, and other national-level agencies to evaluate, guide, and adjust agency programs to meet changing security needs and requirements as personally assessed or as directed.
  • Administering the SCI security clearance program for all assigned personnel, ensuring all required clearances are up-to-date and completed. Tracks and administers SCI clearances for all in-processing personnel to ensure mission readiness. Terminates or transfers SCI clearances for out-processing personnel.
  • Receiving and processing all incoming and outgoing visit requests for SCI cleared individuals, ensuring timely processing in accordance with established procedures.

       

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • This is a Drug Testing position.
  • Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires
  • Q with current access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Selectees may be required to serve a trial period to assess their overall fitness and qualifications for continued employment. The trial period for new employees is two years. New employees who are preference eligible veterans serve a one-year trial period.

All information in your resume must be true and accurate.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GG-13) in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Demonstrated knowledge in the application of intelligence support services to the agency, including all aspects of handling of intelligence information and special access materials, and the construction, accreditation, and certification of sensitive compartmented information facilities at the headquarters and regional facilities.

2. Demonstrated knowledge in the application of the preparation and maintenance of rosters of NRC and NRC contractor personnel authorized access to sensitive compartmented information, special projects, and special access information.

3. Demonstrated knowledge in the application of the maintenance and control of access or oversees maintenance and control to all agency sensitive facilities.   

4. Demonstrated Knowledge in the application of classified records management.   

5. Demonstrated knowledge in the application of Commission level closed meetings recognizing all protocols and policies of the Commission.  

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:  Experience having performed security work that is directed toward protecting highly defined information, materials, equipment, or processes by applying specifically tailored security criteria. Knowledge, skills, and abilities derived from the four basic functional areas of security in combination with supplemental training and experience needed for specialized program requirements. These include protection programs for nuclear materials, data processing facilities, communications centers, cryptographic materials, intelligence operations and information, military operations, and others where the loss of the information or materials could pose a direct threat to national security or to public health and safety.

Education

There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/security-administration-series-0080/

Additional information

The duty location of this position is Rockville, Maryland (HQ's).  This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy.

Geographic mobility/flexibility is a condition of employment for selection under this announcement.

Based on the staffing needs of the agency/area of consideration, additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.

Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an OPM special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit: FedsHireVets

The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 287-0745 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Selectee's will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing.

A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a wavier is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment.

If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees. https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager.

Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you tosubmit a resume that directly relates to this position.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

NOTE: Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to any vacancy questions, and if necessary, documents which prove your eligibility to apply.

Your resume is crucial in our evaluation of your qualifications. Resumes should clearly demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and abilities. Please limit your résumé to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, your resume will still be accepted, however only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine if the minimum qualifications for the position have been met. To ensure your resume contains all required information, we encourage you to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. If you choose to use your own resume, please ensure it contains all the required information, and you organize it so we can associate the following information with each experience/position:

1. Job title
2. Name of employer
3. Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year) format
4. Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will pro-rate part-time employment in crediting experience.
5. Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and
number of staff supervised (if applicable).
6. Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position).

If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, please submit your transcript OR list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses along with the course credits in your resume. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

Please carefully review the list of document descriptions below, to see which documents are required for your application.

If you are an NRC employee, you are required to submit your most recent Rating of Record (Performance Appraisal) or a statement saying that one is not available. Additionally, you must also submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

If you are a current/reinstatement eligible Federal employee in the competitive service with status (Tenure Group 1 or 2), you will be considered under our merit promotion procedures and must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility.

Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

If you are applying for a position that requires a college degree, you must submit your College Transcripts.

All supplemental documents will now be collected electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have two choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
1. Use the "USAJOBS" feature to download documents from your USAJOBS portfolio; or
2. Use the "Upload" feature to upload documents directly from your computer. The following types of documents can be uploaded: .gif, .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, and .doc.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

We strongly encourage you to complete your USAJOBS profile before you submit your application for this position.  

Please read the entire announcement. Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position.

Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.

You must answer any job specific vacancy questions. You will be rated based on your responses to any vacancy questions and especially the information provided in your resume. Breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; training, awards, and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities will be considered to determine your level of knowledge, skill or ability for this position. Abbreviated responses to the vacancy questions, such as “significant experience” or “see resume” do not provide enough information and should not be used. You will not be considered for this position if you leave any of the vacancy questions unanswered.

To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.

Agency contact information

Kristine Darang
Phone
610-337-6977
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
Kristine.Darang@nrc.gov
Address
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Human Resources
Washington, District of Columbia 20555
United States

Next steps

You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBs and selecting "Application Status."


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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